Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic
João Henrique Costa

João Henrique Costa

Marketing Specialist

Summary

Dynamic and results-oriented Senior Marketing Executive with over 10 years of experience in crafting impactful marketing strategies and driving business growth across diverse industries. Recognized for strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and a friendly demeanor, I thrive in fast-paced environments where I can add value in various areas, promote collaboration, and foster a culture of innovation and well-being. My track record includes developing award-winning campaigns for global brands that resonate with audiences and deliver measurable results. Additionally, I have founded a creative studio, a digital marketing school, and a mental health brand. Outside of work, I am a dedicated father, an Airbnb host, a pet owner, a tennis player and a sea enthusiast, with a personal passion for design, architecture and DIY.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Co-Founder & CEO

Kindology - Mental Health SaaS Brand
1 2021 - 8 2024
  • Full Product Development Leadership: Led the end-to-end development process of the platform, managing a team of developers to create a robust solution that is still in use by major clients today.
  • Strategic Fundraising & Growth: Successfully raised capital to support Kindology's growth, securing funding through pitches, partnerships, and entrepreneurial awards, driving company expansion.
  • Award-Winning Entrepreneur: Recognized for innovative leadership and entrepreneurial excellence, earning several prestigious awards that bolstered Kindology's credibility and visibility.
  • Enterprise Sales & Long-Term Client Retention: Sold Kindology's mental health solution to high-profile corporate clients, ensuring long-term adoption and use of the platform to support employee well-being.

Growth Marketing Manager

PLM Global - Retail Tech Specialists
01.2021 - 12.2021
  • Brand Identity & Portfolio Overhaul: Revitalized the brand by creating and developing a new identity, and reworked the company's portfolio, leveraging high-profile clients like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and Huawei to attract new business.
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Led multidisciplinary teams across digital, design, and communication, ensuring alignment and effective execution of marketing strategies in a challenging market environment.
  • Strategic Launches in UAE Market: Managed the marketing campaigns for the successful launch of three high-impact projects in the UAE: Portugal Pavilion at Expo Dubai, PLM's R&D Studio in Sarjah, and the Arab Aviation Summit in Ras al Khaimah.
  • Internal Brand Culture Development: Worked closely with company leadership to strengthen internal brand culture, helping the team navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic and maintaining a positive work environment.
  • Digital & Social Media Growth: Enhanced the brand's digital presence and social media strategy, driving customer acquisition and business development during a critical period.

Marketing Manager

Fiamma - Espresso Machines Factory
01.2020 - 12.2020
  • Complete Brand Transformation: Rebranded the company with a new identity, website, and redesigned factory layout, reinvigorating the company's presence and aligning the brand with modern market trends.
  • Innovative Customization System: Developed and implemented a unique internal system for machine customization, allowing clients to personalize coffee machines with colors and prints, which significantly boosted sales and production from 6,000 to 10,000 machines annually.
  • Successful Product Launch: Launched a new coffee machine with major press coverage through the impactful #AllTheArtists campaign, collaborating with 45 artists to design custom machines and drive significant market attention.
  • Creative Campaign to Unite Consumers: Initiated the #CoffeeTogether campaign, engaging customers worldwide with 65 custom illustrations, encouraging a sense of community by inviting coffee drinkers to share a cup with a neighbor through their window.
  • Digital & Social Media Revamp: Revived the company's dormant social media presence, using targeted digital strategies to build brand awareness and increase engagement during a challenging pandemic period.

Marketing Manager

Ubiwhere - R&D Software Company
01.2018 - 12.2019
  • Long-Term Marketing Strategy Implementation: Developed and executed a 10-year marketing plan that remains the foundation for the company's growth, completely redesigning the brand, website, and digital presence.
  • Cultural Transformation & Talent Acquisition: Revamped the internal culture, growing the company from 30 to 76 employees, addressing talent acquisition challenges, and fostering a culture of pride and engagement.
  • 250% Company Growth: Contributed to a 250% business growth by positioning Ubiwhere as a leader in Smart Cities, building its reputation and market presence in a highly competitive sector.
  • Marketing Budget Management & Product Positioning: Managed the marketing budget, strategically investing in communication for flagship products, which positioned Ubiwhere as a leading expert in its industry.
  • Award-Winning Booth at Global Event: Achieved the "Best Booth" award at the Smart Cities World Congress in Barcelona, transforming the company's stand from 9 to 120 square meters, using only reusable materials to create a compelling and sustainable presence.

Program Coordinator

Aveiro Digital School - Digital Marketing School
04.2017 - 10.2018
  • Brand Creation & Strategic Positioning: Conceived and launched the Aveiro Digital School brand, revitalizing the institute's struggling digital marketing postgraduate programs with a bold and innovative communication strategy.
  • Course Revamp & Faculty Leadership: Transformed the postgraduate offerings by bringing in top industry talent as guest lecturers, significantly enhancing the quality and appeal of the courses.
  • Record Enrollment Growth: Successfully filled three postgraduate courses in a row (20 students each), compared to only four enrolled students prior to the brand's launch.
  • Financial Turnaround: Boosted the financial performance of the institute's digital marketing unit, reversing previous challenges and positioning it for sustainable growth.
  • Regional Leadership in Digital Marketing Education: Positioned Aveiro Digital School as the leading institution for digital marketing education in the region, establishing a strong reputation and attracting students.

Account Manager & Strategic Planner

Ogilvy & Mather - World's #1 Advertising Agency
08.2014 - 07.2017
  • Managed High-Profile Client Relationships: Successfully managed key accounts such as BP, Universal Music, Emirates Airlines, Nestlé, and Parmalat, ensuring client satisfaction, timely project delivery, and long-term partnerships.
  • Led New Business Wins: Secured significant new business deals by developing and delivering compelling presentations, grounded in thorough research, strategic planning, and flawless execution.
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Spearheaded and coordinated cross-departmental teams, aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve unified goals on large-scale campaigns, consistently meeting client expectations.
  • Increased Client Engagement & Revenue: Developed tailored strategies that enhanced client engagement and contributed to increased revenue across multiple accounts, reinforcing Ogilvy & Mather's reputation as a trusted partner.
  • Innovative Strategic Planning: Delivered innovative strategic planning initiatives that led to award-winning campaigns, increasing brand visibility and market penetration for clients across various industries.

Co-Founder & Handyman/CEO

Horta Studio - Digital Creative Studio
08.2012 - 07.2014
  • Entrepreneurial Learning Experience: Co-founded Horta, a creative studio, while studying Marketing at university, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial and leadership experience.
  • Creative Projects & Client Acquisition: Successfully attracted clients and public attention, building a strong portfolio with innovative design and communication projects.
  • Retail & Studio Management: Managed a physical studio and store in a pedestrian area, blending creativity and business operations in a dynamic setting.
  • Challenges & Adaptability: Despite financial challenges and market adaptation issues, the experience provided valuable lessons in business strategy and resilience.
  • Collaboration with Creative Partners: Worked alongside a design and communication co-founder, learning to manage cross-functional teams and diverse client needs.

Sales Consultant

Holmes Place - Health Clubs
07.2009 - 07.2010
  • Sales Achievement & Target Exceedance: Consistently surpassed sales targets, establishing a strong track record as one of the top performers in the team despite working part-time.
  • Client Acquisition Strategies: Developed and implemented effective strategies for attracting new clients, significantly contributing to the club's growth and membership base.
  • Proficient Cold-Calling Skills: Gained hands-on experience in cold-calling, successfully engaging potential clients and building respect for the sales process within the team.
  • Customer Relationship Building: Fostered strong relationships with new clients, enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction through personalized service and follow-up.
  • Commercial Knowledge Development: Acquired valuable insights into sales processes and techniques, enhancing overall commercial acumen and understanding of client needs.

Student Brand Manager

Red Bull - Energy Drinks
12.2008 - 07.2009
  • Event Organization & Execution: Organized multiple university events and contributed to large-scale brand events, enhancing Red Bull's visibility and engagement within the academic community.
  • Community Engagement: Actively involved the university community with the Red Bull brand, fostering a strong connection and promoting brand loyalty among students.
  • Strategic Relationship Building: Established and maintained excellent relationships with key brand representatives in Portugal, facilitating collaboration and brand initiatives.
  • Hands-On Marketing Experience: Gained invaluable marketing insights and practical experience in event management, brand activation, and consumer engagement strategies.
  • Brand Representation: Served as a brand ambassador for Red Bull, effectively communicating brand values and engaging with diverse audiences on campus.

Education

MBA - Marketing Management

Institute of Business Management
Lisbon, Portugal
04.2016 - 2017.01

Executive Program - Brand & Product Management

IE Business School
Madrid, Spain
04.2016 - 2016.01

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing

University of Aveiro
Aveiro, Portugal
04.2011 - 2014.01

Skills

Brand Development

Languages

PORTUGUESE
Proficient
C2
ENGLISH
Proficient
C2
SPANISH
Proficient
C2

References

Tim Solomon, Chairman, ex-Ogilvy

João is a bright, enthusiastic member of any team and he bubbles with ideas and enthusiasm. He is a hard worker and managed to build strong relations with his colleagues and his clients. BP specifically requested João to accompany a demanding project countrywide, a task he fulfilled to our and the client's complete satisfaction.


Marta Moreira, PR & Influence Director, Ogilvy

João is an extremely competent and available professional, who has a great ability to interact and create excellent relationships with clients, colleagues and partners. He is a great orator, who can win over audiences easily, and is a gifted author of powerpoint presentations. I really enjoyed working with João on the project we were both involved in and it was very interesting to see how he managed to get into the spirit of the project very quickly.


Mariana Luz, Operations Director, ex-Ogilvy

João is very professional, hardworking and a good colleague always available to help. It was very interesting to observe his ability to adapt to circumstances - that is, to move from strategic planning to account management - and his willpower to pursue his goals.


Diana Silva, Social Media Manager, ex-PLM

A great leader, team manager and marketing strategist who elevates all projects wherever he goes. He was an inspiration from day one for his example of personal and professional ambition, in always trying to be above expectations. Thank you for guiding my journey, it couldn't have been any different.


Pedro Gomes, Data Analyst, ex-PLM

João's marketing vision is exceptional and focused on success. His extensive knowledge of online and offline approaches to the market gives any company a winning strategy. In addition to all this, his human conscience and concern for his entire team make him the leader that all marketing teams need.


Isaura Costa, Communications Advisor, Municipality of Famalicão

Excellent communicator. I had the pleasure of having João Henrique Costa as a trainer for several modules in the area of Territorial Marketing. With an enormous ability to transmit knowledge and create empathy, João inspires and motivates everyone around him. Only someone with a huge baggage of knowledge is able to capture the attention of an audience for several hours with the ease with which he does it.


Luís Simões, Head of Sports and Education, Municipality of Mealhada

João Henrique Costa has the superior ability to transmit knowledge. This faculty is based on the enormous knowledge he has and at the same time on the ability to transmit it. Another relevant factor is the brilliant way of keeping the student focused over several hours. We know that the attention span of anyone of us is not very high, but João Henrique Costa manages to extend these periods much further than expected. Competence, knowledge, transmission and friendliness. Excellence.

Timeline

Growth Marketing Manager

PLM Global - Retail Tech Specialists
01.2021 - 12.2021

Marketing Manager

Fiamma - Espresso Machines Factory
01.2020 - 12.2020

Marketing Manager

Ubiwhere - R&D Software Company
01.2018 - 12.2019

Program Coordinator

Aveiro Digital School - Digital Marketing School
04.2017 - 10.2018

MBA - Marketing Management

Institute of Business Management
04.2016 - 2017.01

Executive Program - Brand & Product Management

IE Business School
04.2016 - 2016.01

Account Manager & Strategic Planner

Ogilvy & Mather - World's #1 Advertising Agency
08.2014 - 07.2017

Co-Founder & Handyman/CEO

Horta Studio - Digital Creative Studio
08.2012 - 07.2014

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing

University of Aveiro
04.2011 - 2014.01

Sales Consultant

Holmes Place - Health Clubs
07.2009 - 07.2010

Student Brand Manager

Red Bull - Energy Drinks
12.2008 - 07.2009

Co-Founder & CEO

Kindology - Mental Health SaaS Brand
1 2021 - 8 2024
João Henrique CostaMarketing Specialist